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Reviews

Your Reviews: Autumn/Winter 2012

29/11/12 - Sir John Eliot Gardiner/Walton

John BernardJust a brief comment on the Walton 1st concert to say that I thought it a shame this fine young German conductor was not given – presumably it was not offered - the opportunity to conduct the whole concert. Nearly all the great conductors got their break when some maestro or other was indisposed, and it seemed to me that this guy was well up to making a fine job of more than a modern piece which none of us knew.

23/11/12 - LSO Discovery Day: Karol Szymanowski

Ian ParsonsI just want to say what a wonderful event this was. The orchestral rehearsal was fascinating on several levels and gave insight into Gergiev's priorities in interpreting the music. Adrian Thomas gave a very informative and interesting talk, at times moving. His analysis of the 2nd string quartet was most revealing. It was a real pleasure to hear the four string players in their account of the work. Also their comments and demonstration of extracts from the score showed their love of, and commitment to the music.

Eleanor ButlerThe concert was absolutely superb. One of the best. The Szymanowski Symphony was probably new to most of the concert goers and so it was particulary important to read the excellent programme notes.

Alfred BradleyThe Szymanowwski was unknown territory and well worth the visit. Lush and swooning and played to the hilt by the orchestra. The Brahms 2nd unfolded with real elan and the players seemed to take total pleasure in their response to Maestro Gergiev's understanding of that strange mixture of grandeur and shyness this symphony has for me. We were sitting very close.Very exciting to see the blood, toil sweat and tears and the enjoyment, in virtually surround sound! Many thanks for another great night.

06/10/12 - LSO String Ensemble

Benedict WestenraI just wanted to congratulate the LSO and Roman Simovic on their all-string concert the other night. I go to classical concerts almost every week for most of the year, and this is one of the few times I've been so moved by the performance that I've felt compelled to write. Schoenberg's "VerklÃ¤rte Nacht" and Strauss's "Metamorphosen" have been two of my favorite pieces since I was a teenager, and it was quite overwhelming to hear them played with such sensitivity and commitment. Many thanks.

David FoulgerI enjoyed last Tuesdays concert very much, fine string playing by the whole ensemble, in particular the lead cellist in the Strauss. I went to this programme because all works are favourites of mine, and was very pleased to hear the Hartmann.

18/10/12 - Petrenko/Elgar

David LeonardI thoroughly enjoyed the concert and thought Petrenko’s interpretation of the Elgar superb, and exciting in a way I hadn’t previously associated with that composer!

13/10/12 - Family Concert

Mrs FosterIt was so inspiring listening to the LSO and they were fantastic in the concert. The children really enjoyed trying out the various instruments in the foyer, even though they go to music school, they have never tried other instruments. The LSO staff were very patient in helping the children with the instruments. All the children enjoyed the music workshop with the LSO staff and it really made children think about how to create different moods in music, rather than just concentrating on the tune. My son who says he does not like drama, even got up to act out the “Baddie” which was really surprising. All in all it was a great day in London. Thank you for your efforts

04/10/12 - Davis/Mahler

Jonathan LamèdeAlthough I'd been looking forward to seeing/hearing Sir Colin Davis in Mahler, Manfred Honeck was a refreshing replacement. His conducting was spot on: precise and clear, with an innate feeling for the Mahlerian phrase. Dorothea Roschmann was superb, quite apart from the fact that, unlike Ian Bostridge, she sang for us, the audience. But as for Bostridge, what can one say? I should have known better, and stayed away. The Wonderwork Lieder seemed to appeal to the worst of his mannerisms. I find that in Mahler, less is very much more. But Bestride laid everything on with a trowel. As one critic has said, his performance 'crossed...into outright grotesquerie.' Even worse was his habit of singing, not to the hall, but to his own shirtfront.